Page 33 - QARANC Vol 15 No 1 2017

was forecast to stay with us throughout. Despite the wind we still seemed to eat the miles up – as always the team chat was constant and at times very random, anything to distract you from the pain. After 31 miles we had our first stop for coffee and cakes; I’m not sure the locals quite knew what had hit them as the entourage descended and we took over the little coffee shop. The usual back massages took place on the pavement and the genius technical support guys tinkered with our bikes whilst yet again we inhaled huge quantities of cake. With lunch another 30 miles ahead in Woburn and the wind still gusting against us for the first time all week there was a lull in the chat as folk concentrated on trying to stay on the back wheel of the person in front! Yet again the support team did us proud and the relief as we pulled in to the carpark where they had set up for lunch was obvious. Lunch was devoured, tactics for dealing with the wind were discussed, and lashings of “special” cream was reapplied. The final push to RAF Halton was tough, not least of all because of the hill right at the end; however, as we pulled up in front of Halton House the pain of the last 81 miles was soon forgotten. For the first time all week supper consisted of green healthy salad and conversation centred around detoxing and never wanting to see cake or pasta ever again. We had some fabulous speeches, raised “several” glasses and even shed a couple of tears.
After the previous nights’ celebrations, day seven, the last day, started with a few fuzzy heads so the plans of detox were ignored and we all tucked in to a very hearty breakfast. For the first 18 miles we had the honour and privilege of riding alongside the Paralympic cyclist Dame Sarah Storey OBE. As you can imagine she set an impressive pace and my tired legs screamed throughout every single mile. There is a famous German cyclist called Jens Voigt who was renowned for shouting “shut up legs” at his legs when he was feeling the burn – that became the catchphrase of the challenge and I think every single one of us shouted it at some stage (some more so than others) particularly on the last day. Anyway Dame Sarah left us at Watford where we were met by the police escort on their motorbikes – it was their job to get us in to central London as quickly and safely as possible. To say the experience of running red lights, going round roundabouts the wrong way, riding down the wrong side of the road and breaking the legal speed limit (which was papped by the speed camera – 44 in a 40 – ooooops) was hair-raising is an understatement.
I had never concentrated so hard in all my life and have no idea how they got us there; however, we seemed to be riding past Marble Arch, down Park Lane and in to St James’s Palace in no time at all. We had a quick change in to our DofE cycling gear and then headed off down the Mall in arrow formation with the Countess leading the way. As we got closer to Buckingham Palace the crowds were incredible and despite the noise of the band playing I still managed to hear Lt Col Pat Gibson MBE, Lt Col Tessa Grieves and Maj Maggie Hodge who were standing at the gates – what a fantastic surprise!! The final few metres on to the forecourt of Buckingham Palace were a bit of a blur and despite being told repeatedly to ride on the mats (red carpet) I still managed to go off course and hit the gravel – thankfully it didn’t end in tears. HRH The Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise, and Viscount James were there to greet us, as were my sister, brother in law and two nephews.
As mentioned previously the thought of me in Lycra on TV or in the newspapers made me want to cry so imagine my horror when the first words out of my sister’s mouth were “wow Jo
you were right, your thighs are enormous!!!” I could have died and as a consequence spent the rest of my time shouting “photos from the waist up only please!” The press soon descended on us and before I knew it I was being interviewed by Phillip Schofield, who was an absolute delight. We were presented with Diamond Challenge pins and flowers by the Countess’s children and then escorted to our rooms so that we could change for lunch. After a quick shower, I managed to squeeze in to my outfit (she was right about the thighs) and headed down the endless corridors of Buckingham Palace to the famous balcony room where we met up with the rest of the team and our family and friends. Lunch was amazing, as were the bubbles, plus I treated myself to my last piece of chocolate brownie EVER!!!! The Countess presented us with framed and signed photos of us all, copies of the Queens message and our DofE Challenge certificates. The Earl then read out a message from The Duke of Edinburgh – all totally amazing!!!
I can’t tell you how sad it was to say goodbye to everyone; we made plans to meet again, and in a couple of weeks I am due to catch up with The Countess and the rest of the team at the velodrome in Cardiff. Without doubt taking part in Ex DIAMOND CHALLENGE was the most surreal, amazing and totally unforgettable experience. I loved every minute (apart from the odd “shut up legs” moment) and am privileged to have been given the opportunity. I would like to thank HRH The Countess of Wessex, the other team cyclists, the support team, HRH’s Private Secretary, her Personal Protection Officers, and Bill the sports masseur for their support, the laughs, the chat, the pain and their constant encouragement – it wouldn’t have been the same without them.
Lt Col Jo d’Arcy QARANC
THE GAZETTE QARANC 31